Obedience Training: A Powerful Lifelong Journey

Obedience training is not a one-time event. It evolves as your dog grows, matures, and faces new life stages. Just like people, dogs go through developmental phases, and the strategies that worked during puppyhood will not always be enough in adolescence or senior years.

As a professional dog trainer here in Des Moines, I have seen families thrive when they understand how to adapt training across these stages. This guide walks you through obedience training from puppyhood to senior years, giving you the tools to enjoy a well-behaved, confident companion for life.

Puppyhood (8 Weeks – 6 Months)

The foundation for obedience begins the day you bring your puppy home.

Goals at this stage:

• Build trust and bond with your pup 
• Establish housebreaking routines 
• Introduce crate training as a safe haven 
• Teach basic commands like sit, come, and down 

Tips for success:

• Keep sessions short, only 5 to 10 minutes at a time 
• Use positive reinforcement with treats and praise 
• Socialize your pup with new people, places, and surfaces 
• Start leash training early to prevent pulling habits 

Puppyhood is also when you should focus on preventing bad habits rather than correcting them later. For example, stopping nipping and jumping early saves years of frustration.

Adolescence (6 Months – 18 Months)

This is the stage many owners describe as the teenage phase. Your dog may test boundaries, ignore commands, or develop selective hearing.

Goals at this stage:

• Reinforce the basics such as sit, down, heel, and recall 
• Introduce impulse control commands like leave it and place 
• Continue socialization but in more structured settings 
• Manage energy with exercise paired with training 

Common challenges:

• Increased independence 
• Chewing and digging from boredom 
• Leash pulling or lunging at distractions 
• Testing boundaries with recall 

Structured outings are perfect at this age. For seasonal ideas that channel energy into learning, see our blog on fall dog activities that reinforce obedience.

Adulthood (18 Months – 7 Years)

Adult dogs are usually more stable, but this is when consistency matters most. Without reinforcement, many dogs backslide in obedience.

Goals at this stage:

• Solidify reliability of commands 
• Maintain leash manners during busy outings 
• Keep mental stimulation high through advanced obedience or agility 
• Ensure good behavior around children, visitors, and other dogs 

This is also the best stage to build off-leash reliability. A strong recall and impulse control can give your dog more freedom while keeping safety a top priority.

If you want professional guidance, our Basic Obedience Program is designed to give adult dogs the structure they need to excel both at home and in public.

Senior Years (7 Years and Up)

Senior dogs often slow down physically, but obedience training continues to play a vital role in their well-being.

Goals at this stage:

• Keep commands sharp but adjust expectations for mobility 
• Use training for mental stimulation to keep minds sharp 
• Practice gentler versions of place, down, and heel 
• Focus on comfort and confidence in new environments 

Tips for training seniors:

• Shorter, low-impact sessions 
• Use softer treats for sensitive teeth 
• Prioritize patience, as energy levels may fluctuate 
• Reinforce familiar commands instead of introducing too many new ones 

Reinforcement That Works at Every Age

No matter the stage, how you reward behavior shapes how quickly your dog learns and how well they retain skills. If you want a quick refresher on effective reinforcement options, the AKC has a helpful overview of training rewards. Keeping rewards meaningful and timely makes progress faster at any age.

Common Training Mistakes at Any Age

I often see owners fall into these traps:

• Inconsistency between family members 
• Training only when the dog misbehaves 
• Neglecting obedience after the basics are learned 
• Skipping mental stimulation, which leads to boredom and bad habits 

Avoiding these mistakes keeps training smooth and effective throughout your dog’s life.

Quick Reference Checklist by Stage

Puppy:

• Crate and potty training 
• Socialization 
• Sit, down, come 

Adolescent:

• Reinforce basics 
• Add impulse control 
• Structured play and outings 

Adult:

• Build reliability in real-world settings 
• Off-leash recall 
• Maintain manners around people and dogs 

Senior:

• Gentle sessions for mobility 
• Mental stimulation 
• Comfort and confidence 

Final Thoughts

Obedience training is not just for puppies. It is a lifelong investment in your dog’s happiness and your family’s peace of mind. Whether you are raising a curious puppy, managing an energetic adolescent, or supporting a senior, training keeps your bond strong and your dog well-behaved.

If you want to build a lifelong foundation of obedience for your dog, reach out through our contact page to start a plan that fits your goals and your lifestyle in Des Moines. You can connect with us anytime through our contact page.